People who drink alcohol in moderation – one to two drinks per day from midlife on – appear to have a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease than those who drink more than that, but also, and surprisingly, those who drink little or no alcohol. That’s according to a study published recently in the British Medical Journal. Sevil Yasar, a neurologist at Johns Hopkins who wrote the accompanying editorial, says one possible mechanism is known.

Yasar: Alcohol has a protective effect actually on cardiovascular disease. It can reduce your risk, of course again when you consume a small or moderate amount. And this study showed that partially what we found the protective effect of when you consume between 7 or up to 14 units per week when you consume it it’s partially due to you have reduced risk for new heart attack, new stroke, and also diabetes. :26

Yasar says more studies like this one are needed before alcohol consumption should be recommended. At Johns Hopkins, I’m Elizabeth Tracey.